A TOTAL of 70,000 steps a day and still walking and $2100 and still counting.
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That is the experience of a group of dedicated MidCoast Water employees who have put their money, and their feet, forward to raise awareness about the plight of those in the third world in their quest for drinkable water.
Each day people, mostly women and children, in the third world walk an average of 10,000 steps a day to access clean water for their families. This quest to find usable water has far reaching impacts on communities, preventing women from a chance of gaining economic independence and keeping children away from education.
As part of WaterAid Australia's Walk for Water event, the MidCoast Water team have committed to walking 10,000 steps a day for a five day period to raise awareness and to raise funds to improve water supplies in developing countries.
The team of Adam Turville, Jane Anderson, Lorelle Graham, Narelle Hennessy, Tracey Hamer, Karen Whitton and Daniel Brauer have been strapping on their shoes and turning on their pedometers to reach the target, all while fundraising for WaterAid.
"A staggering 768 million people across the world do not have access to safe drinking water, and that was plenty of motivation for us to do our bit," team coordinator Adam Turville explained.
The team members have held morning teas and lunchtime events in their various workplaces - the team represents MidCoast Water's Taree and Forster customer service centres and laboratory located at Bootawa - and spread the word among family and friends to get financial support.
The team set a goal of raising $1400 $200 each as recommended by the walk organisers and has surprised themselves with their efforts. To date they have raised $2100 and donations are still accepted until the end of April.
MidCoast Water supported the walkers by paying their entry fee into the walk, and is a strong supporter of the work of WaterAid Australia. Donations can be made at www.walk4water.com.au to team MidCoast Water.